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“I gave you everything,” Anthony said as he backed out of the garage.

Harlow snorted, which earned her a glare. She had a plan. It was a surprise that Anthony had allowed her to leave Tyler behind, but not having to escape with Tyler was going to make it easier.

The gun was on the seat between Anthony’s legs, which made her nervous, but she was counting on getting out of the car and running for the house where Grayson and Cooper were before Anthony could react. She really didn’t want to get shot. As soon as the car was even with the house, she’d jump out.

She resisted putting her hand on the door handle and giving away her intention before it was time to go. The element of surprise would be the only advantage she had. Just a few more feet. Her heart thumped hard in her chest and her muscles bunched up in her legs in preparation to leap out.

Now!

She reached for the handle, and at the moment she touched it, an apparition dressed in all black rose up from the back seat. She screamed.

The apparition wrapped his left arm around Anthony’s neck and with his right hand, he put a gun to Anthony’s head. “Stop the car.”

Grayson had come for her! Her relief and joy at seeing him turned to horror when Anthony gunned the engine. They shot toward the street like a bullet train out of control. If a car was coming, they would be T-boned. Someone would die. Innocent people could die, something she couldn’t live with on her conscience.

Before she could think it was a bad idea, she dived for Anthony’s gun, got it in her hand and shot his foot. The bang reverberated in her ears, along with Anthony’s scream of pain, both sounds startling her so much that she dropped the gun on the floor.

Grayson lunged forward, somehow pushing his big body into the front seat and on top of Anthony. He slammed on the brakes, bringing them to a body-jerking stop just feet from the street.

Silence. Blessed silence. She sucked air into her lungs as her heart pounded and adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Grayson glanced over at her and winked.

A giggle bubbled up. That was it? A wink? He wasn’t even breathing hard. The giggle erupted into uncontrollable laughter. When Anthony’s moans of pain joined her laughter, she really lost it.

“I shot his foot,” she gasped.

Grayson grinned. “That you did.”

“And you’re sitting on him.”

His grin widened. “That I am.”

Anthony’s howls mixed with sirens.

“Calvary’s a little late,” Grayson said.

It was the dry tone of his voice as he still sat on Anthony that set her off again. It was a day of fear, of bravery from Grayson and Cooper…and yeah, from her. She was rather proud of herself, but it was a day she never wanted to repeat.

* * *

The police and the FBI were gone, taking Anthony, his gun and briefcase filled with the evidence of his crimes with them. Don Delgado was carted off in a separate FBI car.

After giving her statement and answering a long list of questions, Sean had assured her that Anthony would never be a threat to her again. From a few things he’d let slip, maybe on purpose, they’d be questioning the people who’d helped to protect Anthony and do his bidding. She wouldn’t be sorry to hear of any of them ending up arrested.

That was all great, but really, the only thing that mattered was that she had her little boy back. Cooper had changed Tyler into his pajamas and put him to bed. She was grateful her son had slept through tonight’s events.

“You ready to take your son home?” Grayson said as they stood in Tyler’s room looking down at him.

“So ready.”

“Thought you might be.”

“Let me pack up some things for him.” She left Grayson to watch over him while she got a large suitcase. She packed his clothes and favorite toys. Anything else he needed, she’d buy. She wasn’t stepping foot back in this house again.

Cooper drove them to her apartment. When they arrived, Cooper took the suitcase, and Grayson carried Tyler, who woke up as they entered. He yawned, blinked several times and then stared at Grayson.

“You play with me, Richie?”

Grayson smiled sweetly at her son. “Not tonight, bud. I think your mommy needs some Tyler time.”

“Mommy?” He glanced around, and seeing her, he reached for her. “Mommy.”

That was the sweetest sound in the world. Grayson handed him to her, and she wrapped her arms around him. She had her boy back.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Grayson said.

“No, it’s better if you don’t.” The words a goodbye. She forced a smile. “Thank you. I’ll never forget what you did for us.” Something flashed in his eyes as he took in her words. Sadness, she thought. Sadness was what was in her heart.

It was killing her to be so cold and unfair to him. She owed him so much more than a mere thank-you, but if she didn’t send him away now, if she let him stay one minute more, let him say anything to her, she’d lose her resolve. Their time would be over when she had Tyler back, and that time had come. It was what they’d agreed to. All that mattered now was her son. That was how it had to be.

“Be happy, Harlow,” he said, then followed Cooper out the door.

And just like that, he was gone.

If this was what she wanted, why were tears streaming down her cheeks?